Holdin on to black metal

I don't really care about people yelling out, whooping it up, etc...BUT I do find it funny/annoying when certain dudes let out a loud whoop at the beginning/intro of an acoustic song, like a measure or two into Misunderstood or Radio Cure. There were a few of these dudes at the Saturday Fillmore show. The impression I get is they think the band likes it, like they are giving them a whooping seal of approval. If said dudes knew anything about Jeff or Wilco, they'd probably realize how annoying the band finds something like that.

My wife was the one who yelled about Reservations.  This was our first time seeing Wilco since getting married last year and we had my wife's brother play and sing Reservations as part of the ceremony.  When Wilco played it last night we put our arms around each other and slow danced to the song.  It was just beautiful - like having Jeff serenade us.  My wife was so excited and appreciative that they played the song, that she just couldn't keep it in and had to shout out in thanks.

My wife and I got married 6 weeks ago, and two of our friends who are old time musicians did an amazing rendition of "Whole Love" during our ring ceremony. Needless to say, I was totally amped when Wilco played it on Night 3 at the Fillmore, and only wished they had repeated it on Night 4 which was the only night my wife made it to. Would have made an already awesome night that much more magical.

Glad you and your wife got to enjoy that moment, not to mention the whole show!

These were an excellent five nights. Initial disappointment that the five nights weren't going to be "play the whole catalog" nights, gave way to a firm appreciation for many of the tunes that were repeated each night, and the subtle but occasionally major variations in each of those songs from night to night... and then pure enthusiasm for the deep cuts that they pulled out every night. At the end, I did not mind hearing five nights of Spiders, especially since the electric version has been absent from west coast setlists since 2009.  

I must say, one thing that stuck out from me night to night, is how powerful the Sky Blue Sky songs are in this current iteration of Wilco. I will always maintain this is the most underrated of all Wilco albums. I don't know if it has something to do with the Schmilco "lower-fi" setup, something about where the band is at currently on an energetic level, or if simply we haven't heard some of those songs much at all over the past 8-9 years (at least speaking for myself). Side With the Seeds, Sky Blue Sky, You Are My Face, and Either Way were, imo, some of the best performances of the 5 nights... and that wasn't something I would have expected.

Anyone do a total song count yet?

A couple setlist reflections: This was my 17th Wilco show, going back to 2006. Pretty sure it was my first Reservations. Loved having that in there. In general, the arc of the setlist felt very spontaneous and other than the first few songs and the general idea that Schmilco songs were gonna keep coming, I had no idea what to expect... which is different from most other Wilco shows I've seen and that I paid a little attention to setlists leading up to the show. For example, Reservations > Impossible Germany > Happiness.

Speaking of Impossible Germany, pretty sure they have played that at every single Wilco show I've seen. However, I will note that Nels' solo seemed more fluid and thus, more impressive than ever before. I mean, it's always a minute or two of guitar badassery, but sometimes it is a little choppier (or much choppier), and amounts to a type of edgy noodling... last night's solo seemed very well constructed from top to bottom, with a very organic and fluid feel to it. And I was completely sober.

The Spiders arrangement was a trip, and Ashes of American Flags stood out as well... particularly because it seemed much truer to the original recorded version than it's generally been performed in the past several years. I'm guessing a lot of that had to do with Glen's lack of chimes.

Excited for the rest of the week!

Thanks for the reports. Looking forward to seeing them Saturday and Sunday. Was there a Fillmore poster handed out after the show and does anybody have a pic they can post? 

There was. The band was selling both a five night poster ($50), and a poster for just Tuesday's show ($40). THEN the Fillmore handed out the free one after the show. As a poster collector, I gotta say, everyone of them looked great. I'll try to post pics of the five night one and the Fillmore one when I get home

Based on the official Wilco post, looks like the second encore didn't happen. That would have been something else!

Wow. Why did they wait till the second night of this tour to unveil the Schmilco setup?

Was wondering what people's thoughts were regarding what the nature of these shows is gonna be? Will they play a completely different set of songs every night, similar to previous residencies? A focus on Schmilco every night? Gonna be a wild week...

Will gladly be your plus one for any of the Fillmore shows, if you have an extra... Thanks!

herrmannmarty at yahoo.com

Got tickets. Thanks.

Like knotgreen, I still want to know if they are gonna do Star Wars every night in LA and SF.  I sure hope they don't, but they did it at all the two-night stands earlier this year and last year, I think.  Not knowing that Is what kept us for going for all three LA shows.  If they do Star Wars every night I definitely do not want to hear it three nights in a row.  Two nights in a row is pushing it, but I could deal with that if I had to.

Did not think that Star Wars every night was something that would happen at SF... especially since they sold 5-day tickets... I assumed it would be along the lines of the Riviera residencies...

Feel very lucky to have gotten a 5 day ticket.

Will gladly be your plus one for any of the Fillmore shows, if you have an extra... Thanks!

herrmannmarty at yahoo.com

No luck on any of the Fillmore shows. If any one needs a plus one, I'll go any night.

Anyone with experience from the Riviera runs know if the band sold 5-day tickets?

Wilco, The Fillmore SF, September 6, 7, 9, 10 & 11

Didn't scroll this whole thread, but wondered if there's any word or speculation on west coast dates in the coming year?

Curious, were they selling posters at the fest?

Todos Santos is still beautiful, but it's changing rapidly - gentrification is making its way up from Cabo (wait till you see the paved streets), so get here while you can still see it before it becomes mobbed with tourists!

 

Did you get VIP reserved or normal reserved? It's a pretty small area, I had VIP so I sat at the table until Old 97's, then went down the front for them and Jeff. VIP gives you a great view but normal reserved is a little restricted (and you'll be at the back with the talkers), so if you want to see any band close up I'd recommend going up to the stage. It's quite high so you'll see fine.

And here's California Stars from last night 

 

https://youtu.be/OQqRU7Ht-sk

Thanks for the tips! We got the normal reserved. Not concerned about actually sitting, much prefer to stand, but was just curious what the setup would be like. I've been back on that patio a few times but not since 2011 and I think I heard they expanded it, so was just wondering what the overall space was like.

Thanks for the reports! Really excited to hear about the sets, as it was a very tough decision to attend next weekend's shows there as opposed to this weekend. Can't believe this festival is happening there as Todos Santos was the first town in Mexico I fell in love with 10 years ago and ever since Buck started hosting this festival a few years ago, I've been itching to get back. If more people knew what an amazing, unique place it is, I imagine there'd be so many more people there!

I'll be curious to hear what the space/layout at Hotel California is like. We purchased the "Reserved" seats just to guarantee a spot before purchasing flights down there, but are obviously much more interested in just standing next to the stage.

Enjoy your time there and eat as much food as you can. The fish tacos up at Barajas are superb, as are the food, drinks, and charm at Miguel's. The hot dog carts on the streets around there are the best hot dogs I've ever had too. Cheers!

Well, making a last ditch effort to get to this show. If anyone needs to sell their extra, I'd be incredibly grateful. I live on the peninsula (25 mins south of SF), so could meet up with you before the show, at whatever time worked for you. My favorite venue in SF, my favorite band, etc. Thanks for considering!

herrmannmarty at yahoo.com

The Indiana law has some differences, and even if those differences aren't egregious, Indiana politicians are the dumb asses who thrusted this through at this time and place in history. It's no wonder that people (and Wilco) are reacting to it the way they are. If the fallout is making die-hard fans drive an hour or two further to see them this go around, fair enough. 

I'm not an expert on how politically savvy this move is (vs. holding the show and using that as the soapbox), but who can fault them for at least trying? Unless you are a homophobe or otherwise defend in discrimination. Or can't get over yourself.

Oh cry me a fucking river. They're playing two shows less than a two hour drive from Indy. I wish I were as fortunate, shows on the West Coast are always 5-7 hours apart from one another.

Sounds like a well executed plan by Wilco to weed out all the homophobes and self-absorbed babies from their fan base. 

California Dark Stars was a highlight of my life. Then St. Stephen. Unreal.

Love the details of Jeff, Bob, et. al, planning these covers out.

I did one of Phil's webcasts last week. I'll be honest the quality sucked. I don't have a "premium" internet speed, but I normally have no problem streaming HD off the web on to my TV or just on my computer (audio or video). At the set break I switched over to try a few other high data streams and they worked just fine, so something on Phil's end is amiss, IMO.

Last minute but can make tonight's show now. Looking for 1 or 2 tickets.

Thanks!

Did they all sing it or was it just Weir? Did they sing the whole thing? Did it jam out? I can't even imagine hearing Wilco play that one. I have so many questions......

Both Jeff and Bob sang lead, and I'm pretty sure John and Pat did backup vocals, but could be wrong about Pat.